Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2011
140 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Ireland is on course to abolish conventional battery farming of hens as directed by the European Commission through directive 1999/74/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24268/11]
View answerAn EU ban on conventional battery cages is due to enter into force with effect from 1 January 2012, in line with Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for laying hens. My Department is working with laying hen producers and the poultry industry to ensure that the 1 January deadline is adhered to and that the phasing out of conventional systems to other systems will be as smooth as possible. A Poultry Welfare Scheme to assist producers in complying with the requirements of the Directive is currently in operation. The scheme provides a total of €16 million to producers to assist in the conversion to enriched cages, free range or barn systems.
